What is numismatics: definition. Science of Numismatics

Many are interested in what is a numismatics. The definition of this term, as well as the features of the historical development of science, are quite entertaining facts that relate to many famous personalities of past centuries.

Numismatics attracts a lot of people - it is for them that coins are a cultural and historical value, behind which they are ready to go even to the end of the world. Collectors are trying their hardest to get another rare coin and replenish their collection. It should also be borne in mind that if you like such pleasure as numismatics, coin prices can surprise you very much. Owning your own collection is not cheap, it requires not only investment of labor and patience, but also a large amount of money (if it's really a rare specimen).

Term meaning

What is numismatics? In translation from Greek, "nomos" means a law or a legal tender, and "nomism" already means "coin". Numismatics in itself is a science of coins, now it is an auxiliary historical discipline that studies the history of money circulation and coinage.

The difference between a collector and a numismatist

There are completely different concepts, such as "numismatic gathering" and "numismatics as a science". It is the simple collectors who will be most interested not in the historical value of the coin, but in its rarity, as well as in various artistic features. But if we talk about numismatics as a science, then coins are the most important object for researching a lot of important historical processes of formation and fall of whole states, their foreign economic relations and features of state life.

For example, it is from such scientists that all theories of the origin of money depend . They investigate not only coins, but also checks, bonds, shares, various credit cards and much more. Hence, in 1960, the broader term "exonumia" appeared, which denotes the collection of various exotic numismatic means of payment that do not fall under the category officially accepted by the state. This applies also to commemorative coins, all sorts of souvenirs in the form of banknotes or coins that are issued on the occasion of any celebration.

The importance of the appearance of numismatics

It is knowing the importance of the appearance of such a phenomenon, you can understand what numismatics are. The definition indicates that this science studies not only different types of coins, but also paper money, medals, medals, badges.

Numismatics as a science provides information about the various economic relations of peoples of different ages and eras. With the help of coins, one can learn a lot about political history or geography. Scientists, studying such payment means, fill in the gaps in the field of customs and traditions of individual peoples and civilizations and their history of development. That is why numismatics are closely connected with symbolism, epigraphy, iconology, and also with the history of arts.

The history of the appearance of numismatics as a science

This fascination, like a numismatics, appeared in Ancient Rome, later it was recorded in the Renaissance in Italy, from where it spread further to the countries of Europe. It was at that time that the sages of the whole world began to write scholarly treatises on this phenomenon, in which the essence of various images and inscriptions on coins is explained in sufficient detail.

Eckel - with this name of an authoritative Austrian scientist associated scientific works in the field of numismatics, because he is the founder of the first systematic scientific research on this topic. In the 18th century, eight volumes of the book "The Science of Ancient Coins" of II Eckel were published in Vienna - it was from this period that the science of coins began to exist.

Stages of evolution of the science of coins

So, the history of numismatics. There are two main stages in its evolution, passing through which, it appeared before us in the form in which we all know it perfectly.

What does numismatics mean? This science has gone through a long process of formation, because it completely depended on money. The first stage includes an era in which barter was quite popular as the only way to get any good without knowing what money is.

The second stage began with the fact that gold was the only commodity-equivalent, to which you could exchange anything.

Later, the first coins of gold and silver appeared. The state mass produced coins that had identical weight and shape, and also set the value in various denominations.

It was from this stage that the birth of numismatics began, the first collectors appeared. The natural exchange of products and goods of daily use is the only thing that was popular in ancient times.

The surplus of own-made products has always been exchanged for something more useful for the household. In the course went everything - seashells, skins, fabrics and much more.

Origin of coins

A single version of how the first coins appeared and how they looked, no. Many researchers argue that King Argos on the island of Aegina minted the first coins. A small part of the scientists is sure that the Lydians were involved in this as early as the 6th century BC. There is also an opinion that the inhabitants of the Mediterranean Ionia were the first bankers in the 7th century BC. The inscriptions and images on the coins depicted the great rulers or commanders, important historical and political events. This concerns military actions, internal struggle in the state for power, various religious reforms and much more.

Metal for ancient coins

Many scientists give various answers to the question of what is numismatics. The definition shows that people who are interested in coins do not simply collect them in their collections, they love vanity, namely they are the researchers of the collector's object.

Coins in Asia Minor, as well as in Greece were made of silver and gold. China distinguished itself by minting them out of copper. Somewhat later, various alloys became more popular in this respect. This applies to bronze, bilon, and brass. A small amount of copper was added to the gold coins - a ligature was obtained, the sample of which was determined just by the fraction of copper. The test was always established by the state.

A little later, aluminum, nickel, lead and other metals were added to the alloys in order to make the coins more durable and wear-resistant during operation.

There are cases when the state issued new coins that had the same denomination as the previous ones, but were worse in quality, and the share of precious metals was much lower in them. This coin damage was one way to make a profit.

Destination of ancient coins

What is numismatics? The definition interests many people. First, you need to understand the purpose of the coins.

Previously, they were used not only for the implementation of money turnover, but also for memory. Their release could be timed to any significant event. For example, it concerns coins "to visit mints", "to death" or "to forgive sins". It is also known about a special coin passed by the executioner to the judge when he retired - "the pfennig of the executioner of Hamburg". Coins could be minted for birthdays and other, not less significant dates. Science numismatics studies each such coin separately, giving due attention to all historical events that affected its appearance.

No less popular are coins "to visit mints." Worthy examples are those that have a denomination of 2 marks and are issued in the Kingdom of Saxony for visits by the mint kings of Mühldenhütten in the 1900s, as well as the coins of the Warsaw Mint for the President of Poland in the 1920s. They are in great demand among modern collectors.

Commodity coins, the release of which was specially timed to any solemn event, is highly appreciated by modern collectors.

Modern valuable coins of Russia

Numismatics distinguishes several very valuable Russian coins, the cost of which varies from a thousand rubles to 400 thousand rubles for one piece.

This applies to five kopecks in 2002, on which there is no sign of the mint. The price of such a coin is up to four thousand apiece. For example, 5 kopecks in 2003 issue have a cost of up to 800 rubles apiece.

There are coins for which even in banks you can get a reward. For example, 5 rubles in 2003 issued by the St. Petersburg Mint, the bank will be valued at 5,000 rubles for one piece, but for numismatists their cost is twice as high.

One ruble in 2003 for numismatists costs 10 thousand rubles. 50 kopecks in 2001, issued by the Moscow Mint - 100 thousand rubles minimum.

2 rubles 2001, issued by the Moscow Mint stand from 100 thousand rubles. The same is true for a coin with a nominal value of 1 ruble in 2001.

From this follows the conclusion: expensive is a hobby - numismatics. Prices for specimens for a truly worthwhile collection are sometimes prohibitively high.